Villa currently sit in 19th-place in the Premier League table after Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Chelsea left them with just four points from nine games, having gone without a top-flight win since beating Bournemouth 1-0 in their season opener.

They are now preparing to host Swansea City this coming Saturday, when the likes of the Telegraph have reported that a sixth straight league defeat could lead to the end of Sherwood’s eight-month reign.

However, speaking to Sky Sports, Cole has insisted that the former Tottenham Hotspur head coach is the right man for the job and, after making 12 new signings in the summer following the sales of Fabian Delph and Christian Benteke, believes he needs to be given more time to work with his revamped squad.

“He’s brought in some good players but what people need to understand is that you need time in this game,” said Cole. “I’m convinced along with him that he’s brought in enough quality on the staff and as players to keep the club up.

“I think a good year for Villa would be to stay up and then build on the good players they’ve brought in. He just needs time, but it’s a brutal game – he took them to the cup final last year.

“The mood’s still positive. You’ve got good professionals and young lads there who want to listen and learn, and a young manager with a lot of energy. The ingredients are all there but it’ just fine tuning it and I think a couple of results will spark things.”

Meanwhile, Cole will be playing his football at Coventry City for the next month, having made a shock loan move to the League One club last week after seeing just 60 minutes of first-team action so far this season.

The 33-year-old playmaker, who joined Villa on a two-year deal in June 2014 after his contract at West Ham United expired, has made a mere three starts in 16 appearances during his time in the Midlands and was desperate for a chance to start week in, week out again.

“I just want to play football, regardless of the level, proper football, competitive football,” he added to Sky Sports. “I want to play for the right time and the right manager who plays the right way. I'm just excited to play a game.

"I've not really thought about the ideal scenario. One thing I have learnt is you only think of the next game. I know it's boring but anything could happen. I'm just excited I've got a game to play tomorrow. There's seven games in the 35 days and we'll review it after then."

It remains to be seen then what the future holds for Cole when his month-long spell at the Ricoh Arena ends but, should he return to Villa Park, there is a chance that a different manager will be greeting him, regardless of his backing of Sherwood.

Freddie Shires

Freddie is a freelance sports writer, having recently completed an MA in Sports Journalism at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham. With an especially keen interest in all things American sports-related, he has written extensively about the NFL, MLS and the U.S. national team for various sites.